The Psychology of Success - Unit 1

C1 Advanced · Multiple Choice Reading · Ready for C1 Advanced 4th Edition Workbook, Macmillan Education

You are going to read an article about the psychology of ambition. For questions 1–6, choose the answer (A, B, C or D) which you think fits best according to the text.

Most of us struggle to achieve our ambitions, and in many cases, it’s because cultural and psychological barriers are holding us back. Building the lives we dream about may start with addressing these barriers, experts say. Few attributes unite us as powerfully as ambition. Ask a child what they’d like to be when they grow up and it’s clear that a common human drive is the ability to imagine a life that reflects our talent and potential. But for every feature about a rags-to-riches start-up or Instagram-endorsed vision of a glamorous entrepreneurial lifestyle, there’s the story of someone who hasn’t achieved the ambition burning inside them – whether this involves starting a food business or launching the footwear line they’ve been designing in their bedroom. According to recent research, although 75% of people say they’re ambitious, only 6% say that ambition is their greatest asset. The study also found that 51% of people are ‘dreamers’ – people who aspire to their ambitions but lack the mindset and resources that could bring them to fruition. Dr Natalie Kladnitski is well versed in this dilemma. The Sydney-based psychologist and coach has spent her career empowering clients – especially women – to achieve their deepest ambitions. Her Healthy Business blog is filled with musings on the confidence, resilience and mindset needed in solo business. She says a lack of confidence is often one of people’s biggest obstacles. It’s important to note, she adds, that this feeling doesn’t emerge from nowhere. For many of us, it’s part of the fear of defying cultural and social norms. ‘I often find that the lack of confidence stems from trying to break away from what might be the norm in your family,’ she says. ‘For example, if no one in your family has started their own business, it can be quite scary to go out and do something new. It could also be about the fear of doing something different to your friends or support networks. Often, my work involves building the confidence to try something different and finding your own reasons for pursuing a particular path.’ Our culture tells us that the path to success is often lined with failure: Thomas Edison built 14 failed concrete houses before inventing the light bulb and Steve Jobs was famously ousted from Apple. Dr Kladnitski says the path to realising our ambitions often means coming up against the failure monster: ‘We don’t necessarily think through all the different options that are available to us if things don’t go according to plan,’ she says. The fear of failure is something that resonates for leadership coach Sonia McDonald. She urges people to break through their fear and have the courage to make their dreams a reality. ‘I believe the birthplace of ambition is to step forward with courage. In my experience, people are often held back by a fear of stepping into the unknown or of what people think of them.’ For business analyst David Stefanoff, there’s also the issue of tall poppy syndrome, a cultural phenomenon in which people try to cut down others who might be focused on achievement. ‘It’s said that this persists in our culture,’ he says. ‘But what’s worse is that it can disproportionately impact women and minority groups from pursuing their ambitions.’ Then, of course, entrepreneurial instincts can be thwarted by financial considerations. Stefanoff says entrepreneurs need a combination of resilience and grit, and that adopting a success mindset is as important as thorough planning. Thea Mends is an entrepreneur who juggles her small business, DOMUTS (doughnuts for dogs), alongside a day job and family. Stefanoff recently helped draw up a business plan to transform DOMUTS from a home business run in the family kitchen to one capable of sustaining growth. One of the most important things Stefanoff did was help Mendes map out scenarios before they unfolded. Mendes had been on the verge of giving up her fledgling business. But this act of anticipating and planning for failure and problems helped revive her ambitions. Crucially, it turned her mindset around. For Dr Kladnitski, a success mindset comes down to a quality called self-efficacy: a deep belief in our power to deal with the challenges and failures that arise along the path towards our dreams. It’s important to note that confidence isn’t something that always springs from us. Often, it’s built when we take the steps towards making our ambitions a reality. ‘Self-efficacy is the belief in the capability you have to achieve something,’ Dr Kladnitski says. ‘It’s not necessarily about having a particular quality; it’s trust in yourself that if a challenge arises, you can deal with it. I tell my clients that confidence isn’t actually an emotion – it’s knowing that you can manage when fear comes up.’

are ambitious from an early age.

give up on their ambitions too easily.

have unrealistic ambitions that they will struggle to fulfil.

lack the necessary ambition to succeed.

In the first paragraph, the writer suggests that most people

The majority of people don’t take the necessary steps to realise their ambitions.

Most people don’t know what they’ll need in order to achieve their ambitions.

Many ambitious people don’t realise that their ambition is their greatest asset.

Many people claim to be ambitious, but they are unable to fulfil those ambitions.

What does 'this dilemma' refer to in the third paragraph?

They are held back by members of their families.

They feel pressure to do the same as other people they know.

They don’t have the necessary skills to open their own businesses.

They don’t get enough support from their friends.

Why, according to Dr Kladnitski, do many people lack confidence?

highlight the importance of careful planning.

warn us that even the most successful people make mistakes.

encourage us to feel more positive about failure.

reassure us that we’re less likely to fail than we think.

The writer mentions Thomas Edison and Steve Jobs in order to

Being risk-averse can impede success.

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